Patents by Inventor Aichen Low
Aichen Low has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10333392Abstract: An apparatus for converting a first voltage into a second voltage includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter having a selectable conversion gain. The power converter has switch elements configured to electrically interconnect capacitors to one another and/or to the first or second voltage in successive states. The switch elements are configured to interconnect at least some capacitors to one another through the switch elements. A controller causes the reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter to transition between first and second operation modes. The controller minimizes electrical transients arising from transition between modes. In the first operating mode, the power converter operates with a first conversion gain. In the second operating mode, it operates with a second conversion gain.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: pSemi CorporationInventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
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Publication number: 20190081561Abstract: An apparatus for coupling to capacitors to form a charge pump includes first and second sets of switch elements, and a controller. Switches in the first set couple terminals of capacitors to permit charge transfer between them. Switches in the second set couple terminals of at least some of the capacitors to either a high-voltage or a low-voltage terminal. The controller causes the switches to cycle through a sequence of states, each defining a corresponding configuration of the switch elements. At least three of the states define different configurations permitting charge transfer either between a first capacitor and a second capacitor, or between a first capacitor and one of the terminals. The configured cycle of states causes voltage conversion between the two terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Aichen Low, Gregory Szczeszynski, David Giuliano
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Patent number: 10128745Abstract: An apparatus for coupling to capacitors to form a charge pump includes first and second sets of switch elements, and a controller. Switches in the first set couple terminals of capacitors to permit charge transfer between them. Switches in the second set couple terminals of at least some of the capacitors to either a high-voltage or a low-voltage terminal. The controller causes the switches to cycle through a sequence of states, each defining a corresponding configuration of the switch elements. At least three of the states define different configurations permitting charge transfer either between a first capacitor and a second capacitor, or between a first capacitor and one of the terminals. The configured cycle of states causes voltage conversion between the two terminals.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: pSemi CorporationInventors: Aichen Low, Gregory Szczeszynski, David Giuliano
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Publication number: 20180323706Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a switching network that controls interconnections between pump capacitors in a capacitor network that has a terminal coupled to a current source, and a charge-management subsystem. In operation, the switching network causes the capacitor network to execute charge-pump operating cycles during each of which the capacitor network adopts different configurations in response to different configurations of the switching network. At the start of a first charge-pump operating cycle, each pump capacitor assumes a corresponding initial state. The charge-management subsystem restores each pump capacitor to the initial state by the start of a second charge-pump operating cycle that follows the first charge-pump operating cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Aichen Low, Gregory Szczeszynski, David Giuliano
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Patent number: 10027224Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a switching network that controls interconnections between pump capacitors in a capacitor network that has a terminal coupled to a current source, and a charge-management subsystem. In operation, the switching network causes the capacitor network to execute charge-pump operating cycles during each of which the capacitor network adopts different configurations in response to different configurations of the switching network. At the start of a first charge-pump operating cycle, each pump capacitor assumes a corresponding initial state. The charge-management subsystem restores each pump capacitor to the initial state by the start of a second charge-pump operating cycle that follows the first charge-pump operating cycle.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: pSemi CorporationInventors: Aichen Low, Gregory Szczeszynski, David Giuliano
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Publication number: 20180166987Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a switching network that controls interconnections between pump capacitors in a capacitor network that has a terminal coupled to a current source, and a charge-management subsystem. In operation, the switching network causes the capacitor network to execute charge-pump operating cycles during each of which the capacitor network adopts different configurations in response to different configurations of the switching network. At the start of a first charge-pump operating cycle, each pump capacitor assumes a corresponding initial state. The charge-management subsystem restores each pump capacitor to the initial state by the start of a second charge-pump operating cycle that follows the first charge-pump operating cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Aichen Low, Gregory Szczeszynski, David Giuliano
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Publication number: 20180097444Abstract: Transient or fault conditions for a switched capacitor power converter are detected by measuring one or more of internal voltages and/or currents associated with switching elements (e.g., transistors) or phase nodes, or voltages or currents at terminals of the converter, and based on these measurements detect that a condition has occurred when the measurements deviate from a predetermined range. Upon detection of the condition fault control circuitry alters operation of the converter, for example, by using a high voltage switch to electrically disconnect at least some of the switching elements from one or more terminals of the converter, or by altering timing characteristics of the phase signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
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Patent number: 9887622Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a switching network that controls interconnections between pump capacitors in a capacitor network that has a terminal coupled to a current source, and a charge-management subsystem. In operation, the switching network causes the capacitor network to execute charge-pump operating cycles during each of which the capacitor network adopts different configurations in response to different configurations of the switching network. At the start of a first charge-pump operating cycle, each pump capacitor assumes a corresponding initial state. The charge-management subsystem restores each pump capacitor to the initial state by the start of a second charge-pump operating cycle that follows the first charge-pump operating cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Aichen Low, Gregory Szczeszynski, David Giuliano
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Patent number: 9847712Abstract: Transient or fault conditions for a switched capacitor power converter are detected by measuring one or more of internal voltages and/or currents associated with switching elements (e.g., transistors) or phase nodes, or voltages or currents at terminals of the converter, and based on these measurements detect that a condition has occurred when the measurements deviate from a predetermined range. Upon detection of the condition fault control circuitry alters operation of the converter, for example, by using a high voltage switch to electrically disconnect at least some of the switching elements from one or more terminals of the converter, or by altering timing characteristics of the phase signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
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Publication number: 20170170723Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a switching network that controls interconnections between pump capacitors in a capacitor network that has a terminal coupled to a current source, and a charge-management subsystem. In operation, the switching network causes the capacitor network to execute charge-pump operating cycles during each of which the capacitor network adopts different configurations in response to different configurations of the switching network. At the start of a first charge-pump operating cycle, each pump capacitor assumes a corresponding initial state. The charge-management subsystem restores each pump capacitor to the initial state by the start of a second charge-pump operating cycle that follows the first charge-pump operating cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2015Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Aichen Low, Gregory Szczeszynski, David Giuliano
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Publication number: 20170085172Abstract: An apparatus for coupling to capacitors to form a charge pump includes first and second sets of switch elements, and a controller. Switches in the first set couple terminals of capacitors to permit charge transfer between them. Switches in the second set couple terminals of at least some of the capacitors to either a high-voltage or a low-voltage terminal. The controller causes the switches to cycle through a sequence of states, each defining a corresponding configuration of the switch elements. At least three of the states define different configurations permitting charge transfer either between a first capacitor and a second capacitor, or between a first capacitor and one of the terminals. The configured cycle of states causes voltage conversion between the two terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Applicant: Arctic Sand Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Aichen Low, Gregory Szczeszynski, David Giuliano
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Publication number: 20160149478Abstract: An apparatus for converting a first voltage into a second voltage includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter having a selectable conversion gain. The power converter has switch elements configured to electrically interconnect capacitors to one another and/or to the first or second voltage in successive states. The switch elements are configured to interconnect at least some capacitors to one another through the switch elements. A controller causes the reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter to transition between first and second operation modes. The controller minimizes electrical transients arising from transition between modes. In the first operating mode, the power converter operates with a first conversion gain. In the second operating mode, it operates with a second conversion gain.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
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Publication number: 20160028302Abstract: Transient or fault conditions for a switched capacitor power converter are detected by measuring one or more of internal voltages and/or currents associated with switching elements (e.g., transistors) or phase nodes, or voltages or currents at terminals of the converter, and based on these measurements detect that a condition has occurred when the measurements deviate from a predetermined range. Upon detection of the condition fault control circuitry alters operation of the converter, for example, by using a high voltage switch to electrically disconnect at least some of the switching elements from one or more terminals of the converter, or by altering timing characteristics of the phase signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2013Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
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Patent number: 9203299Abstract: An apparatus for converting a first voltage into a second voltage includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter having a selectable conversion gain. converter includes a cascade multiplier switched capacitor network having capacitors, each of which electrically connects to a stack node and to a phase node. A controller causes the network to transition between first and second operation modes. In the first mode, at least one capacitor is isolated from a charge transfer path of the reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter. Consequently, in the first mode of operation, the power converter operates with a first gain. In the second mode, the power converter operates with a second conversion gain. Meanwhile, a third voltage across the at least one capacitor is free to assume any value.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: ARTIC SAND TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
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Publication number: 20140266132Abstract: An apparatus for converting a first voltage into a second voltage includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter having a selectable conversion gain. converter includes a cascade multiplier switched capacitor network having capacitors, each of which electrically connects to a stack node and to a phase node. A controller causes the network to transition between first and second operation modes. In the first mode, at least one capacitor is isolated from a charge transfer path of the reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter. Consequently, in the first mode of operation, the power converter operates with a first gain. In the second mode, the power converter operates with a second conversion gain. Meanwhile, a third voltage across the at least one capacitor is free to assume any value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Arctic Sand Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
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Publication number: 20140268945Abstract: An apparatus for converting a first voltage into a second voltage includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter having a selectable conversion gain. converter includes a cascade multiplier switched capacitor network having capacitors, each of which electrically connects to a stack node and to a phase node. A controller causes the network to transition between first and second operation modes. In the first mode, at least one capacitor is isolated from a charge transfer path of the reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter. Consequently, in the first mode of operation, the power converter operates with a first gain. In the second mode, the power converter operates with a second conversion gain. Meanwhile, a third voltage across the at least one capacitor is free to assume any value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Arctic Sand Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
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Patent number: 8817501Abstract: An apparatus for converting a first voltage into a second voltage includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter having a selectable conversion gain. converter includes a cascade multiplier switched capacitor network having capacitors, each of which electrically connects to a stack node and to a phase node. A controller causes the network to transition between first and second operation modes. In the first mode, at least one capacitor is isolated from a charge transfer path of the reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter. Consequently, in the first mode of operation, the power converter operates with a first gain. In the second mode, the power converter operates with a second conversion gain. Meanwhile, a third voltage across the at least one capacitor is free to assume any value.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Arctic Sand Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
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Patent number: 8619445Abstract: Transient or fault conditions for a switched capacitor power converter are detected by measuring one or more of internal voltages and/or currents associated with switching elements (e.g., transistors) or phase nodes, or voltages or currents at terminals of the converter, and based on these measurements detect that a condition has occurred when the measurements deviate from a predetermined range. Upon detection of the condition fault control circuitry alters operation of the converter, for example, by using a high voltage switch to electrically disconnect at least some of the switching elements from one or more terminals of the converter, or by altering timing characteristics of the phase signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Arctic Sand Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde